Want to Bring More Calm Into Your Life? Use These 3 Tips!
Hello! I’m Kaila Pilecki, Associate Coach and Facilitator with Inspired Results Group. Over the next 6 weeks, as we work through each puzzle piece of the Courageous Leadership Framework, I will contribute some thoughts and solutions around implementing the puzzle piece into your leadership and your life. Let’s get started with CALM.
3 ways you can bring more CALM into your life:
Consider your Energy
I was recently at a doctor’s appointment and he mentioned that he only takes in-person patients on the specific days that his colleague is out of the office. This colleague is freaked out about the Covid-19 pandemic and consistently brings chaotic, panicked energy into their space. On the days that this colleague is working, everyone leaves feeling drained, exhausted and hopeless.
His comment made me think: does the colleague know they are impacting everyone around them? If this person was aware of their intense energy, how could they self-regulate to bring forward a different presence?
We’ve all been this person before so here’s something to consider: who would this person ‘be’ if he were not projecting his fear and feelings on everyone in his presence? What kind of leader could support his learning?
In the context of the CALM piece of the Courageous Leadership puzzle, you are responsible for the energy that you bring into every space and protecting the environment for your team.
2. Circle of Control
Author Stephen R. Covey introduced the concept of your Circle of Control and Influence in his game-changing book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Let’s explore this in the context of Courageous Leadership.
How wide is your personal circle of control?
Picture this: You are a dot in the centre of a page with a few rings rippling out from your dot. You (as the dot) are your primary circle of control. The next ring is immediate friends and family, over whom you have some influence. The ring out from that is your network that you connect with often. The next ring is your broader network, even further from you, the dot. The ripples get wider as your influence, control, and concern grows smaller.
I love this concept because it’s a great visual to picture in your mind. You are the dot. Covey argues that you have the opportunity to control yourself and how you show up for others. A sense of CALM comes with accepting that in a global context, your control is very limited while on the flip side, your control over yourself is vast.
So what can you do to feel a sense of CALM and support others on their journey to embracing CALM? Perhaps limit the amount of news you consume. Spend time outside. Name 3 things for which you are grateful. Treat yourself. Focus on what you enjoy. Smile. Tell the people in your first ripple why you appreciate them.
What are you doing to bring CALM into your circle of control?
3. Do something outside of your ordinary
In an effort to feel a little lighter during this bizarre time, I've been listening to the podcast, "Happier with Gretchen Rubin".⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Gretchen is a HUGE fan of children's and young adult literature. She talks about how she's always loved this genre but resisted pursuing her passion for years, as it seemed not serious or adult enough. Of course, once she allowed herself to dive into her passion, she gave permission for so many others to do so too.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Hearing Gretchen’s comment got me thinking: how can I incorporate some low-key fun into my life? When I was a kid, I loved to read everything I could get my hands on - from Roald Dahl to Nancy Drew to Louisa May Alcott. Just thinking about the immense joy and imagination that’s embedded in children’s literature reminds me that reading for pleasure is so much fun! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Long story short, I downloaded The Chronicles of Narnia on my e-reader to bring a little magic into my life. Reading this beautifully imagined story of talking animals, magical trees and fantastical kingdoms helps relieve my mind off of the stress of the day and go to sleep in a state of CALM.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
What passion are you resisting? Maybe it’s the same as mine and Gretchen’s! Just in case, I thought I’d share her list of great books in children’s and young adult literature: Gretchen's 81 favourites are available via her blog, or click here.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I look forward to connecting again next week as we explore the 2nd puzzle piece, co-creative.
